Gnidia pinifolia leaves

The ericoid, dull-green to blue-green leaves of Gnidia pinifolia spread widely, away from their sturdy, yellow-green stems. The alternate leaves, hairless and crowded near stem tips ascend just slightly. Leaf shape is narrow to needle-like with pointed tips; leaves reaching lengths of around 1,5 cm. Involucral leaves around the flower clusters are wider.

Every stem tip here has its cluster of white flowers, produced in a burst of good season November flowering. Not all are coinciding at the same stage of flower development though, for this species is not shy of blooming throughout the year.

In habitat these flowers please many itinerant fly-by-nights, the enticement arriving appropriately after dark in the form of sweet fragrance. This inviting scent may be picked up by hungry moths almost any night of the year as blooming lasts and lasts, or soon returns.

Not all flowering plants are so considerate: The shorter the flowering season, the more pollinator species are enrolled. They all have to compete for a share of rush season duty and benefits. Thats the way of business: supplier loyalty is out the proverbial window at peak times.

And suddenly the sometimes valued, always important birds and insects, the patrons (and partners) of flowering plants, are left high and dry. They have to find food elsewhere once their favoured flower cafeterias close for extended off-seasons (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005).